Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 03/18/2024

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Board Member Fetterley commented that she was pleased to see that the applicant was not removing more trees than needed and will wait for the future expansion plans to proceed with that. Chairperson Moore commented that it is great to see over 70 percent of the trees preserved. Motion by Board Member Hagerty and seconded by Board Member Fetterley to recommend approval of the Landscape Plan and Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan, contingent upon compliance with staff's review comments. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Moore, Board Member Hagerty, Fetterley, Bernard, and Salami. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Member Heifner and Vikander. 5.04: Consider Natural Resources Aspects of Site Plan for Norhart Mixed Use Apartment Complex (Project No. 24-104); Case of Norhart Architecture LLC Senior Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that the City has received an application from Norhart Architecture LLC for Site Plan review and a variance for a five story, mixed use apartment building located north and east of Sunwood Drive and west of Zeolite Street. Chairperson Moore asked if staff feels that the trees and shrubs can fit along the border of the property, as it appears to be a compact amount of plants within that space. Senior Planner Anderson replied that a lot of what you see along Ramsey Parkway is a combination of trees and shrubs, with shrubs in small groupings. He did not see any issues with that plan as proposed and believed that there would be sufficient space because of the combination of trees and shrubs. Chairperson Moore asked if this project would utilize roof space as greenspace. Senior Planner Anderson replied that he did not believe the applicant proposed any type of green roof. Board Member Salami referenced the recommendations of approval that are made contingent upon certain conditions being met and asked if the Board ever goes back to ensure those conditions are met. Senior Planner Anderson replied that the EPB does not follow up on the cases, but if those contingencies carry forward through a motion of the City Council, those would become formal requirements and staff would follow up to ensure those are met. Motion by Board Member Fetterley and seconded by Board Member Salami to recommend approval of the Landscape Plan and Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan, contingent upon compliance with staff's review comments. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Moore, Board Member Fetterley, Salami, Bernard, and Hagerty. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Member Heifner and Vikander. 5.05: Consider the Natural Resources Aspects of the Site Plan and Preliminary Plat for Environmental Policy Board / March 18, 2024 Page 4 of 6